Approach to Therapy

Most of us have ideas about what therapy involves, but when we actually start to take part in it, there can be surprises in store. This is often because of the many different theories and methods used in therapy today.

Many people feel apprehensive about seeing a therapist, and worry about what will take place. This is very common, and there is no right thing for you to say or do. Seeing a therapist is a big step in coping with your problems.

During your first session you will have the chance to talk about why you have come and about your anxieties, thoughts and feelings. Together we can decide on the best way of helping you overcome your difficulties. You will also have the opportunity to ask any questions which you may have. Together we will set specific attainable goals. During the therapy you will unlearn old ways of thinking and behaving that block you in the hear and now, you can also acquire new skills in problem solving, in relating to others, and attain a greater range of emotional experience

I have been in practice for 30 years and have skills in a wide variety of approaches to therapy. Primarily I use a practical action oriented approach to coping with and overcoming problems and enhancing personal growth. The two main approaches I use are Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Cognitive Behavioural Hypnotherapy.

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) can help you to change how you think about yourself, others and the world around you. These changes can help you to feel better about yourself others and your situation. CBT focuses on “here and now” problems and difficulties. Although people may be strongly influenced by events in their early lives CBT doesn’t spend a long time rehashing the past. The focus is mainly on the present. Research has demonstrated that our emotional problems are determined not by events, but largely by the self-defeating beliefs we have about these events. For example, if you get anxious about speaking in public, your anxiety may stem from a belief such as, ‘I must give a perfect speech and I am worthless if I don’t’.

CBT works by teaching you to recognize and change those beliefs that result in emotional problems such as anxiety, guilt, anger and depression enabling you to make greater use of your potential and help you to achieve your long-term goals. Cognitive behavioral therapists believe that clients change because they learn how to think differently and they act on that learning. Therapists also seek to learn what their clients want out of life (their goals) and then help their clients achieve those goals. My role is to listen, teach, and encourage. Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy is considered among the most rapid in terms of results obtained. CBT has been shown to help with many different types of problems. These include: anxiety, depression, panic, phobias (including agoraphobia and social phobia), stress, bulimia, obsessive compulsive disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, bipolar disorder. CBT may also help if you have difficulties with anger, a low opinion of yourself or physical health problems, like pain or fatigue.

Cognitive Behavioural Hypnotherapy (CBH)

Cognitive Behavioural Hypnotherapy combines Clinical Hypnotherapy with Cognitive Behavioural Therapy. The hypnotic state makes people more responsive to positive suggestions and it allows them to use there imagination to bring about positive solutions. Hypnosis is a safe and highly effective therapy and enables us to work with CBT techniques at a deeper and more profound level. Hypnosis allows us to directly influence emotions and behaviour and deal successfully with the irrational fears and negative thinking patterns that prevent you from getting the best out of life.

Counselling

In addition to Hypnotherapy and Cognitive Behavioural Therapy I am also an experienced counsellor.Counselling can be of help with many different issues. There may be past issues that are affecting you in the present or there may be things in the present that you want to try and change. Perhaps you are experiencing significant events in your life such as getting married and starting a family, leaving home for the first time.

My counselling service may be able to help with all of the above and issues such as those listed below: